hydrangeabloom | (no subject)

Sounds good to me! Hopefully it'll be nice and sunny for us. [ he chirps after getting the additional affectionate scritches. When Zhongli untangles then he will also roll to get up, his nine tails fading from sight down to just one. Although he will use a human form once they get closer to the shrine, for now he's content just hiding his tails.

Although he senses that presence, it's very clear it hasn't made way to escaping what Zhongli did to it, there's which means Ajax doesn't have to concern himself with it no matter how unhappy it is in its imprisoned state. As soon as Zhongli turns to signal he's ready to leave, the youkai will nod and they can both leave to be on their way. ]

[ The trip to Narukami Shrine is largely uneventful. With so much to worry about in Inazuma already, no one has time to notice two travelers making what appears to be a routine pilgrimage. It helps that Zhongli has also procured a set of more traditional Inazuman clothing to wear so he doesn't stand out too much in the crowd. A deep red yukata lined in silvers and purples. It is not a color palette he wears often, but perhaps that is the point as he seems to blend in more easily with the rest of the inhabitants.

At first, there is hesitation from the greeting miko as they enter through the last set of red tori gates before the great tree. Guuji Yae is a very important person with a very busy schedule. One does not simply waltz in and ask for an audience with her. However, upon sensing the nature of the miasma in the object they carry, a young shrine maiden (who introduces herself as Inagi Hotomi) quickly ushers them to a special waiting room in the back of the shrine, saying that Guuji will be them as soon as she is available.

Zhongli can only breathe a sigh of relief as he sinks into his knees in front of the low table where fresh green tea has been served. Surely this will go a lot smoother when Yae arrives and there no longer has to be pretenses about who he is. A lost benefit of being an archon, having to go through route paperwork and channels to speak with the people he needed to speak with.

He glances over at Ajax to see how he is faring, considering that the other said that he had shied away from most of the mortal civilization. Even as sparsely populated as the Grand Narukami Shrine is, it must be quite the challenge for him. ]

Have you ever been this close to the Sacred Sakura tree? I have to admit it is my first time as well.

[ Ajax is quiet when they are greeted by the shrine maidens, all traces of him being anything other than human gone. Never once does he meet their gazes even though it's clear he's listening and observing all the same. He seems to blend well enough even if he comes off aloof, but his demeanor becomes more friendly and open when on their way to the meeting room there is a young girl trying to teach the ornament rack to hang her own. She refuses any offers for others to put it to for her, saying how can her wish come true if she doesn't do it herself, and she has kept at it. When Ajax hears her explanation , he agrees with her before offering a way help her reach out herself. He doesn't pick her up (he at least knows humans react badly when a stranger handles their child without their permission even if the child doesn't mind,) and instead goes to crouch down and lean forward enough so she can jump on his back and climb on to be able to get herself to successfully hang it. After a small victory celebration of yays and excitement between the duo, they part ways and Ajax will turn to catch back up what with having probably made Zhongli and the shrine maiden wait.

Once they're left alone in the room, Ajax relaxes a little, some rigid tension visibly easing out of him. Zhongli's voice brings him to tilt his head as if he still has his fox ears to hear with rather than the current human ones, but otherwise seems to be keeping most mannerisms in check so far.

(Even so he's definitely uneasy and perhaps trying to judge if he's doing things coreectly or is trying too hard to be human or not enough or—) ]

Hah? Actually, no... it feels familiar though, like i've seen it before. But every time I have met with Lady Yae she has come to me.

Is that so?

[ The little things are not adding up.

Such as why Ajax has not even travelled here, where not only would he be welcomed as a youkai but as a person. Here in the heart of the land where one of his kind has always taken up the mantle of priestess.

Such as why Ajax is so good with children, so kind and affectionate, and yet he spends little to no time with them as far as Zhongli can see. But his joy in helping the little girl hang her ornament was apparent. How despite all the other sights and sounds of the Shrine, that is what he laser focused on.

(What is the secret that Ajax keeps so close to his chest that he must hide himself from the world as a result of it?)

Zhongli lifts his hand, placing it on top of Ajax's and opens his mouth to say something, when the very distinctive drawl of a very playful fox makes herself known. ]

Oh my my my. Look at what we have here. Ajax, dear, you should have told me you would be coming all this way.

And oh—

[ Yae hides a laugh behind one white sleeve as her eyes widen at the other guest ]

I see you brought a friend. Hmmmm. Where did you manage to dig up this old fossil?

[The fox youkai cants his head slightly to one side at Zhongli's hand on his, clearly focused on listenening to what the other's about to say before they are interrupted. Ajax perks towards the guuji with a friendly smile with Yae making herself known.

He reaches behind his head sheepishly before offering an apologetic smile with a polite and chipper greeting. Of course, she'll soon realize what the situation is and why the surprise visit but he'll glance to Zhongli with an encouraging smile. ]

At one of the abandoned shrines on Narukami. He was visiting, he said. [ He's guessing they must know each other because Zhongli was here a long time ago and they met and whatnot, but nothing further than that comes to mind right now.

He'll tilt his head back towards Zhongli now, glancing towards him encouragingly to take over speaking. It's better for him to bring up their reason for their presence. ]

[ Zhongli does indeed take up the reigns in explaining their situation, seemingly unbothered by being called an old fossil. Obviously, Yae had been hanging around Barbatos lately. ]

Greeting, Lady Yae. It has been a long time. As my friend Ajax has said—

[ Yae's ears flutter against her hair at such a casual declaration but otherwise she shows no reaction. ]

I was doing some sightseeing on Narukami when we encountered some abnormality in the Ley Lines. Something that Ajax calls filth though this is my first encounter with such vocabulary.

[ Zhongli sets the encased filth upon the low table, the dark purple miasma and short flickers of memory still leaking out if one were to touch the thing. For a brief moment, a flash of white fox ears and a tail seem to linger in the air. An afterimage of a spirit long past. Yae does not touch the but she does sit down across from them, ears perking up again in interest. ]

Purification of this magnitude it outside of my realm of expertise, so we brought it here that it might be handled properly. You have my gratitude for seeing us so quickly when we come unannounced.

[ Yae hums again in that distinct way of hers, settling back on her heels to cross his arms against her chest.

"Well well, it seems you came to the right place. This is surely something that we can purify. But where there are they chunks of filth, the source is usually not too far to find."

This time, Yae turns her gaze to Ajax when she speaks.

"Where did you find this again?"

(Perhaps a why did you bring this to me?" lays unspoken in her gaze, as Ajax always insisted on handling the filth alone. A sweet boy, but he was more skittish than a cat at a firework festival.) ]

[ Ajax is quiet and serious as Zhongli speaks, but he is pointed to not act as if he is income in the concession unfolding. He doesn't look to the filth, doesn't look between either of them, and it's only when he catches Yae directly her wisdom to him that his eyes focus on her. He's not sure how to explain because it's sort of arguably ridiculous. Just because someone who had been nice to him was very against the idea of eradicating the filth via destroying it isn't exactly valid reason to do this, especially when he's been so stubborn about going at it alone. Still, he is not willing to be embarrassed or hide his decisions and owns them without wavering. ]

One of the corrupted trees near the shorelines. Zhongli-sensei was very convinced we couldn't destroy it because the memories would be lost with it. He was not willing to consider any alternative until this one was exhausted.

[ he doesn't say it outright, but the implication is rather easy to see for Yae: because Zhongli was friends with Lady Saiguu, Ajax felt wrong going against his wishes to try and save the memories. Of course, Yae knows better than that being the only thing, but that suggestion does give her more insight— the young youkai is quite smitten with having a friend and the thought of closing any decreasing what he was wasn't on his agenda since he couldn't exactly prove to Zhongli his way was the best way. And of course... someone who doesn't want to destroy memories that are vile and filthy— maybe this adeptus would not feel disgust and fear towards what he is?

Still, all the various reasons and angles that Ajax could give as reasoning and explanation all boil down to a simple common truth: I made a friend and I didn't want to lose him by going against his wishes. So I humored him. ]

[ "Hooooooh."

Yae presses a single finger against her chin, thinking deeply as a "foxy" smile creeps upon her lips.

"I see. Well, Zhongli-sensei has always been stubborn like that. I'll take this off your hands—"

She gestures to the filth with a wave of her wide sleeves.

"And send one of the shrine maidens out to investigate when we can spare one. It's been quite eventful here for the past few days. I'm surprised the two of you have not been caught up in everything.

But I do have a favor to ask in return, since it seems the two of you and have been out and about."

This, she says, while looking pointedly at Ajax.

Zhongli suspects he does not quite understand the dynamics or power play between the two fox youkai, so he wisely stays out of it for now. The only indication of which side he is on is the hand still gently cradled over Ajax's. ]

[ Ajax looks a bit thoughtful at her comments about them avoiding some pretty big things going on, and he tries to think of anything unusual beyond the conditions that have been for some time. Perhaps something else besides the weather, after it had been perpetual hell and fury for longest time until that outlander arrived. Ajax had followed them around curiously for a bit from a distance since they made their appearance, but they didn't seem to be around to do any harm. He automatically assumes it has to do with them because other than Zhongli they are the only new variable he knows of in Inazuma and Zhongli did not seem like he was here to make waves.

Maybe if it wasn't for that loud fairy tagging along and having panic attacks every time something moved, he would have stuck around longer or even tried talking to them (no, no chance.)

Well, regardless, he supposes he and Zhongli will hear about it or they will witness it first hand soon enough if it's really as eventful as Yae describes it as.

The younger fox youkai realizes it's not as if he can avoid this so-called favor and wait to get a better idea of what she wants before he agrees to it, but he also does admittedly feel like he did dump her more work after being so indifferent on doing things alone, all just because he had a soft spot for an old adeptus that has paid attention to him for several days (not that Ajax is fully self-aware of this just yet.) ]

Yes, whatever you need. [ his smile is sweet, and very unassuming— he knows he's not fooling Guuji Yae, but it's simply habit and practice pose that he can't break, especially when around Zhongli (especially not when Zhongli hasn't pulled away his hand even once Yae greeted them.) ]

[ The hand placed on Ajax's own suddenly becomes a tug as Zhongli yanks on it, trying to cut Ajax off mid sentence. ]

You do not mean that.

[ And then to Yae: ]

He does not mean that. An undisclosed favor is not a fair trade for the assistance that we have asked for. I would like to understand the nature of your request before we agree to anything.

[ Yae just chuckles, thoroughly amused by Zhongli's antics. "Yes, yes. Of course. I'd never dream of trying to get an unbalanced agreement by you. I simply want you to keep an eye out for something for me. And nothing half so dangerous as what you already brought me today. Is that not a fair trade?" ]

[ oh, he doesn't? Ajax's smile is puzzled even as Zhongli takes over. Ah, so that's what it is, no t a fair trade... the fox youkai can't help but now try to get a better understanding as he listens to the two. Clearly Yae knows him a lot better than Ajax so it's best to see how Zhongli works these negotiations out than interrupt just yet. ]

[ Zhongli crosses his arms over his chest, a clear sign that Yae should continue. It is a practiced motion, one that he has done many times before. Perhaps his dealings with fox youkai (or just tricksy creatures in general) has left him equally adept at handling them as well as bone-weary of their antics.

"Oh, Mister Zhongli~ No need for that dour look on your face. It's simple really. I'm looking for a very special feather - a pinion feather from the Thunderbird. It's gone missing from where it is usually kept and I'm afraid with this distraction, we won't have the resources to go hunt for it ourselves. Now, I'm not asking you to drop everything and look for it seeing as the two of you are on vacation. But an extra pair or two of eyes never hurts.

And young Ajax here will know it when he sees it."

She gestures to him with a wide sweep of her sleeve, a move which has Zhongli tilt his head curiously to one side before he straightens his posture and turns to Ajax. Yae never did anything without purpose. So either she wanted Ajax to find this artifact or have Zhongli realize something when he came upon it himself.

Ah well, as long as they walk into this obvious bait with eyes wide open. ]

It seems like a fair exchange, their aid in exchange for ours. Do you find the terms acceptable?

[ Ajax nods. Unfortunately, if Zhongli was hoping for him to think about it for any length of time, he'll be sorely disappointed. ]

Yeah, fine with me.

[ he'd probably be doing something similar anyway and without Zhongli and his company any other day so it's no big deal where their next stop is to the young fox youkai.

Besides Yae always has good intentions despite her tendency for vague words of wisdom and trickery. Almost always, at least!

And what kind of fox youkai would he be if he couldn't handle some kind shenanigans should they arise. ]

[ Yes, it's quite clear that Ajax is not giving this any deeper thought than what it appears on the surface. But Zhongli can not chide him too much for that— he is young, does not seem to have much opportunity to interact with others, and Lady Yae was at the top of the food chain when it came to kitsune youkai. He probably had not even considered the fact that he could negotiate anything before today. ]

Very well. The tailfeather of the Thunderbird.

[ Zhongli knew that tale as he had even on one occasion had the opportunity (or perhaps misfortune) of hearing about the Thunderbird from Ei when Makoto was still the Electro Archon of Inazuma. The creature had become a threat to the residents of Seirei Island and they were discussing whether or not a peaceful resolution could come to pass between them.

History tells the end of that story. It ended the same way as many similar stories did — a resolution not to be found and the Thunderbird slain or sealed by the hands of the Archon.

Why would anyone want a cursed artifact like that in their possession? Surely it contained some of the rage and malice of the fallen foe. Surely it could not be good for anyone who came in contact with it.

Of course, Zhongli says nothing of his internal musings. He does not need (or want) to tip his hand to Yae, and Ajax does not seem interested in the specifics. Very well. It will be up to his discretion then. ]

Then let the contract be sealed, for my words are as solid as stone.

[ Yae openly laughs, not even bothering to hide it daintily behind her hand. "Maaaa, you never change. It would be quite endearing if it wasn't also a bit tragic." ]

[ Ajax is admittedly interested in what Yae means about Zhongli, even as he rolls the words said by his new companion around in his head.

Contract... stone... this feels on the tip of his tongue, and he can't help but intentionally turn to start sifting through memories of Hers in particular to try and see if the face next to him is somewhere in there with her. If not her, has Lady Yae ever informed him —

—eh, he'll do it later. Now isn't a good time to get lost in thoughts. ]

Then, we will head off soon after Zhongli-sensei finishes his tea and bring the item back with us next time~.

Yes, after I finish my tea.

[ To which Zhongli takes a long pointed sip, ignoring Yae for the moment. How rude! He isn't tragic. He's retired.

He turns to Ajax when he's done: ]

Ajax, might you allow myself and the Lady Guuji to catch up on things for a few moments. I shall be ready to go soon.

You may also stay here as well, but I'm afraid our conversation will be dreadfully boring.

Sure, you don't have to tell me twice! [ he definitely doesn't want to deal with sitting through boring conversations. Which means he's more than ready to depart and leave the two of them to themselves for now.

Once he leaves, he is very good about going about keeping himself occupied for the two elders to catch up. ]

[ A couple hours later, Zhongli emerges from the meeting room with Yae, pensive and thoughtful, but he is quickly drawn out of his own head as he looks around for his new fox companion. Ah, perhaps he should not have lingered too long in his reminiscence (but it was so rare that he had a chance to talk to anyone that knew Baal, knew those who lived and breathed before the cataclysm.) Even if Zhongli had to suffer through barbs and teasing about being a cradle robber.

Honestly.

He first heads to the placards where visitors to the shrine may offer their wishes, black calligraphy ink splashed across small wooden boards. Ah, perhaps when he finds Ajax, the two of them might indulge in this most mundane of pastimes.

If he is not there, Zhongli will circle round the rest of the Narukami Shrine. It's a small place. Surely he will find him eventually. ]

[ Ajax can be found not far from the hung wishes, staiing up curiously at the large outreaching branches of the great Sakura Tree. As if mesmerized, the young fox youkai stares up at the pink petals that hold fast despite the high altitude and breeze that continuously encourage them to take flight, wondering if he's seen anything prettier than this. He'd give to take a nap while waiting for Zhongli, but now can't recall if he ever made it before stopping to settle here and watch the Sakura petals dance their way through a short-lived existence.

He'll snap out of it when Zhongli approaches close enough, looking to him belt a smile lights up Ajax's face and he'll wave for good measure. In his hand is one of those wooden ornaments, but it doesn't seem that he's managed to ink anything into the back of it as a wish just yet. Somehow, with Zhongli suddenly there, it doesn't feel like such a thing he has to focus on in the moment, instead putting to go to the adeptus' side. ]

Sensei, you're finished? Did you have a nice talk? [ the fox youkai hopes so considering how long he was with Lady Yae, but one can't be too presumptuous about such things. ]

[ Zhongli reaches up to pluck one such pink petal from Ajax's hair, rolling it between his fingertips before letting it go and take flight on the wind. Ajax looked so much younger like this, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the shrine of his people rather than tucked away in the dark forgotten crumbling ruins of long past. Those nagging questions start tugging at his mind again— why did Ajax live so far away from the others, even considering how his kind had been treated. Surely here, of all places, under the watchful eye of the Guuji, he would be safe.

But, ah, that does not really matter now. Because now Ajax was safe with Zhongli. ]

I did. Thank you for indulging me. I have not seen Lady Yae in over 500 years, so we both had a lot to catch up on.

[ Zhongli leans forward, tapping the wooden plaque held in Ajax's hand. The fact the one side still remains unblemished does not escape his attention. ]

Are you going to make a wish?

[ The smile on Ajax's face and Zhongli being there with him now is interrupted with a momentarily puzzled expression belt he looks to the wooden ornament himself and a soft smile returns. Ah right, he should make a wish like the tradition states. his words are soft and absent minded before he seems to realizing he's trailing off into something h shouldn't or won't take about. "A wish of my very own for me...?"
His short daze is interrupted quite quickly before he glances back to Zhongli from having shifted to the ornament piece. He reaches out with his free hand towards the older man, offering a rather charming grin along with the invitation. ]

Let's make a wish together. How about it? I can't think of any wish at the moment that doesn't involve you there with me, anyway.

[ Zhongli looks puzzled for a moment by the offered hand, not sure what he is supposed to do with it. But considering how physically close the two had been since they have been travelling together, Zhongli reaches forward to take it, pulling Ajax into that comfortable closeness the two of them have shared. It feels strangely natural — to curl his fingers between the spaces of Ajax's.

This is very unlike him. Normally he was friendly, but polite and cordial — appearances were everything to "Zhongli." But here in Inazuma where only a handful of people knew him, it was easier to bend those sort of strict rules that he had set for himself when settling into his mortal persona. There was no reason to keep secrets from Ajax. No need to worry if he might be uncomfortable such some of his adeptus traits accidentally peek through in a moment of distraction. ]

The silver fox has an equally silver tongue.

But you need not make it as grand as a wish if it involves something I can help you achieve. You need only to ask me, Ajax.

Oh? Does that mean Zhongli-sensei doesn't have a need for making wishes like these? [ Ajax cants his head curiously. Even so,
The fox youkai doesn't seem convinced he can just ask Zhongli for whatever wish he might have if it involves the other.

(The wish is silly. It's absurd to even speak outloud and has no true benefit of value to make it reasonable to bring up despite its ridiculousness. How can he truly bring anything like this up in the real world rather than draw a cute idealistic picture on a piece of wood?

(Most of all, though, the question begins to gnaw on him— why is he wanting to wish for this in the first place?) ]

I would not say that. But a wish is a grand thing, is it not? So I might wish for something like your continued health, your overall happiness, or perhaps that we are able to meet again and again for many years despite the distance and other gulfs between us.

But if it is a smaller wish, one that were in your power to grant me— well, would it not come true quicker if I were to just ask you.

[ He leans in a bit closer, smile fond as he looks at the wooden block still clutched in Ajax's hand. ]

What kind of wish do you want to make, Ajax?

Or might I begin with my smaller wish first?

[ Ajax considers Zhongli's words and their supposed implications long and hard—or, at least, as much as he can in the reality of the situation. He glances down shyly now at seeing that fond smile (something strange and giddy and heart-racing all at once and he doesnt know or understand any of it,) while also feeling a something knowing in his chest that he doesn't like. He understands what has caused it& mdash; Zhongli confirming that them being able to see each other again any more than hoping once at a time until that is fulfilled only to need to hope for it again the next time when the other departs.

(It shouldn't upset him because he knew this already — and he knows his time will not be long like other youkai. The part that upsets him the most is that he won't even be able to say he's going to a great place where he can wait for someone like Zhongli. He will never be able to be a real celestial fox that can wait for someone or visit them elsewhere in far away places. It feels... such a shame. )

By now the blush has mostly faded, and he stares at the at the wooden plaque helplessly. He wants to make a wish they can see each other for a long time after Zhongli leaves, but is that a cruel thing to ask Zhongli participate in when he knows for a fact even if the adeptus can make that wish come true eventually, Ajax simply can't?

Closing his eyes, his grip tightens for a moment on the edges of the small ornament before he relaxes his stressed joints. ]

I... want to be able to spend as much time as possible with you for the remainder of your stay. As for the bigger wish... shouldn't we think of one together? I can make my own wish alone but I hope before you leave you'll want to make a big wish just like mine, too. So, I should maybe hold onto it until that time comes.

[ He offers a nice smile, something kind and attractive, but it feels odd. It's not something that screams fake so much as that he wants the smile he's giving to be reassuring and genuine that he's confident no matter the situation or response but it's finding that more difficult than he anticipated.

(More difficult, more complicated, more unrealistic and these strange feelings all bottle up into something unfamiliar and unsettling. One of the saving graces had always been he didn't feel attacked to anyone or anything for their absence or his lack of ability to offer them anything they deserve. So why now? It's it just because the old adeptus is paying attention and being kind that he's running away with the situation?

Probably. ] For now, if I can spend the most time with you on your stay and it isn't a bother to you, I would like that very much, I think.